Anxiety attacks and sudden body burning sensations

Question

Hello, I recently have had some severe anxiety symptoms/attacks. I just all the sudden get a real nervous pit in my stomach and then the body burning starts! Which is absolutly a dreadful feeling. Sometimes they'll come and go every 10 mins for an hour or so. Then sometimes I feel it start lightly and it goes away. 
Thismorning upon waking up I could tell I was a nervous wreck! Fluttery belly, then my face, arms, head, chest feel tight and I get a burning sensation that is extremely intense. I describe it as putting on "tingle" lotion used for tanning beds. It lasts 10 mins or so then I get a break. Then just when I relax and think its over...it hits again. Anyone else have this strange body burning/cold sensation that is very intense??? Its so scary and I just try abdominal breathing to get me thru it. Can't find a Dr. in my area who will give out xanax or anything to help with the attacks. Any suggenstions or stories like mine?

nicole80 · Answer

This "body-burning" feeling is new to me too-I've dealt with anxiety for awhile now.  I read someone else describing it has having Ben-Gay or whatever that cream is slathered all over your body...it happens to my feet and up the calves and my hands and forearms and around my face and neck-it is so reassuring to see others suffer as I do!  :)

Jtroyer · Answer

Woke up at 6am and had an instant panic attack. Nausea, had to vomit, had to concentrate on breathing, and slight body burning sensations. I had to fight with all my might to keep it in check. Eventually I went out into the 35* weather and just walked and walked and walked my driveway for like 20 mins. Seemed to help burn off some of the anxiety! I have heard exercise or walking during an attack can help. 

Anyone else try this and had it work? Or at least help?

Jtroyer · Answer

Thanks for all the replies guys, I feel like I have support here! 

I also have read threads and other places online about how hyperthyroid can cause anxiety! I don't think my thyroid has been out of whack too long....could be it went out of what a couple months ago when these attacks started! 
Hopefully this will go away with whatever they do with my thyroid...just stinks to have to wait! Since my surgical consult is Saturday, I hope they can do the biopsy soon next week or something! Or thats just all the longer I will have to deal with this crap!

nursegirl6572 · Answer

It is very possible that your symptoms are brought on from the thyroid issues and may go away after the thyroid issues are treated.

Thyroid disorders mimic panic/anxiety.

donna80 · Answer

I get panic attacks now and then, but mine are more to do with my head going funny.  My anxiety is always there like yours, And i too experience the putting on lotion feeling, it's mainly around my chest, hands and sometimes legs, and it makes me feel all agitated, and i may get butterflies all over.  ya know? Reminds me when i was pregnant i got RLS (restless legs) something bad,but that was 3 years ago, and this is all over! 

Nothing i am trying is stopping this tingly feeling, and my doc just brushed it off and said it's probably a spring allergy? 

Am very interested to know what it is, google has brought up quite a bit, thyroid, vitamin/mineral dificiancies (sp) and many more.  So i am stumped too!! IT's sooooo annoying! More so because i never experienced this before.. (But it is common on medhelp, if you do a search for it. ?

Jtroyer · Answer

Donna, these body burning sensations to me feel like putting "tingle" lotion on that you use in tanning salons. It will do it for like 10-15 agonizing minutes then it will stop. Then 10 mins later its doing it again! Stinks!!!! So scary....I have had depression and anxiety since childhood but I have never had a panic attack. 
So, this is new to me! Especially the physical symptoms...tight chest, body burning, almost feels cold at times. Its very strange! 
I got some low dose xanax today and at least its something to help me thru it when it hits! I just try deep abdominal breathing and sometimes I just can't keep it together and I bawl....funny thing is....after I was able to cry-it kinda stopped and I felt better!

Jtroyer · Answer

Thanks for all the advice! I will try ANYTHING when this body burning anxiety hits! I will let everyone know about my surgeons consult Saturday. I know I will be having a biopsy--just not at my consult! So, hopefully soon after! I just want it over with!

cirene · Answer

I wish I could pull up the psychobabble that would explain it better, but when you're having an episode, sit down, relax and put your hand (or have someone else put their hand,) on the back of your neck.  Just rest it there - not lightly, but like you're gripping a piece of fruit or a baseball in your hand.  Sort of firmly.  No massage.  Something about how it releases feel-good somethings or others.  I know this sounds ridiculous with the way I'm describing it but I promise you it helps lol.  As soon as I read this I started doing it and it really does calm me down.

Maybe someone here knows what I'm talking about and can explain it better?  Because this makes me sound like a doof.

donna80 · Answer

Awe bless you, what you have described about the body tingling is exactly what has been happening to me for the past 5 days now! IT is quite uncomfortable/annoying isn't it? Does your doc know why this is happening? I have been searching the net and all sorts are coming up..

I only had my thyroid and other bloods done last year, could it be that perhaps? 

Do let us know how you get on... This is a weird one.. And if it is Anxiety then it is a new symptom to me and i have suffered anxiety for 8-9 years .. urghhhh

Jtroyer · Answer

Ok, just back from the Dr. I have a goiter and a thyroid nodule. I have to go Saturday for a consult with a surgeon who will do a needle biopsy. Nerves....I just hate these body burning episodes and never know when they'll strike!
I am just trying to do deep breathing and relax when it happens...BUT IT ***** SO BAD!!!! He did give me .25 xanax to have around, its not much but at least I have something around for when this happens to help me thru it! 
Anyone have body burning episodes and done anything that helped during these attacks?

Jtroyer · Answer

Im going in today for results on a thyroid ultrasound I had last week  so that is why I probably flipped thismorning into a body burning rage! I'll keep in touch! Thanks for everyones advice!

cirene · Answer

Hey there -

Yes, I hate that feeling.  I'm no doctor but you definitely have severe anxiety issues.  Funny - I never thought of associating the two examples you gave but you're spot on lol (tanning bed lotion and anxiety attack heat.)  I'd make an appointment with a pdoc as soon as you can.  You can't keep going on with those sorts of episodes!

Good luck to you!

nursegirl6572 · Answer

What you describe is very typical for panic attacks. It is very common to get that hot/cold, burning/tingling sensation.  That is a result of the adrenaline that is released during a PA.

Your best bet is to get to a psychiatrist who can properly diagnose you and develop a treatment plan that could include meds and/or therapy.  Medications can be helpful in decreasing the symptoms while the therapy is invaluable in teaching you coping skills....what to do when panic strikes.  It is important to discuss your options with a doctor who can explain the purposes of different meds....because while Xanax is often used in treating panic attacks, there are important things to understand about taking a potent, habit forming med like that.  Xanax can be very effective, just know that that there are a lot of different medication options out there besides just that.

There are MANY many people who know what you're going through, just know that help IS out there...it is just a process that takes some work and patience, but you will get there, you won't feel like this forever.

Keep us posted!